Medical Gross Anatomy
Anatomy Tables - Arteries of the Upper Limb
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Medical Gross Anatomy |
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| Artery | Source | Branches | Supply to | Notes |
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| anterior circumflex humeral | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid m.; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | anterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the posterior circumflex humeral a. |
| anterior interosseous | common interosseous a. | muscular brs.; a. of the median nerve | flexor pollicis longus m., flexor digitorum profundus m., pronator quadratus m., radius, ulna, carpal bones | anterior interosseous a. pierces the interosseous membrane at its distal end to reach the dorsal carpal anastomosis |
| anterior ulnar recurrent | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular brs. | medial side of elbow and proximal ends of forearm flexor mm. | anterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises in common with the posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| arch, deep palmar | radial a., deep br. of ulnar a. | palmar metacarpal aa. (2nd-4th), perforating brs. | deep palm, digits including the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment | deep palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| arch, dorsal carpal arterial | radial a., ulnar a. | dorsal metacarpal aa. | dorsum of the hand and digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | dorsal carpal arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| arch, superficial palmar | ulnar a., superficial palmar br. of the radial a. | common palmar digital aa. (3) | superficial palm, palmar surface of the digits excluding thumb, dorsum of the distal phalangeal segments of digits 2-5 | superficial palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the ulnar a. |
| axillary | subclavian a. (axillary a. is the continuation of the subclavian lateral to the 1st rib) | 1st part: superior thoracic a.; 2nd part: thoracoacromial a., lateral thoracic a.; 3rd part: anterior humeral circumflex a., posterior humeral circumflex a., subscapular a. | pectoral region, shoulder region and upper limb | pectoralis minor m. crosses anterior to the axillary artery and is used to delineate the 3 parts mentioned at left |
| brachial | axillary a. (brachial a. is the continuation of the axillary a. distal to the teres major m.) | deep brachial a., superior ulnar collateral a., nutrient a., inferior ulnar collateral a.; terminal branches are the radial a. and the ulnar a. | arm, forearm and hand | brachial a. normally terminates at the level of the elbow, but high branching may occur |
| brachial, deep | brachial a. | ascending br.; terminal branches are the middle collateral a. and radial collateral a. | muscles and tissues of the posterior compartment of the arm | deep brachial a. spirals around the shaft of the humerus in the radial groove where it is susceptible to injury in mid-shaft fractures |
| brachiocephalic trunk | aortic arch | right common carotid a., right subclavian a. | right side of the head and neck; right upper limb and right side of the chest wall | there is only one brachiocephalic trunk |
| carpal arterial arch, dorsal | radial a., ulnar a. | dorsal metacarpal aa. | dorsum of the hand and digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | dorsal carpal arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| cervical, transverse | thyrocervical trunk | unnamed muscular branches, possibly the dorsal scapular a. | trapezius muscle and surrounding tissues | transverse cervical a. gives rise to the dorsal scapular a. ~30% of the time |
| circumflex humeral, anterior | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid m.; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | anterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the posterior circumflex humeral a. |
| circumflex humeral, posterior | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | posterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the anterior circumflex humeral a.; it passes through the quadrangular space with the axillary nerve |
| circumflex scapular | subscapular a. | unnamed muscular branches | teres major m., teres minor m., infraspinatus m. | circumflex scapular a. anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the dorsal scapular a. to form the scapular anastomosis |
| collateral, inferior ulnar | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lower medial arm | anastomoses with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| collateral, middle | deep brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial head of triceps, anconeus | anastomoses with the interosseous recurrent a. |
| collateral, radial | deep brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lower lateral arm | travels with the radial nerve; anastomoses with the radial recurrent a. |
| collateral, superior ulnar | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial arm muscles | travels with the ulnar nerve; anastomoses with posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| common interosseous | ulnar a. | anterior interosseous a., posterior interosseous a. | deep structures of the forearm | common interosseous a. supplies the deep forearm flexor and deep forearm extensor muscles |
| common palmar digital | superficial palmar arterial arch | proper palmar digital aa. (2) | palmar aspect two adjacent digits | common palmar digital aa. anastomose with palmar metacarpal aa. |
| deep brachial | brachial a. | ascending br.; terminal branches are the middle collateral a. and radial collateral a. | muscles and tissues of the posterior compartment of the arm | deep brachial a. spirals around the shaft of the humerus in the radial groove where it is susceptible to injury in mid-shaft fractures |
| deep palmar arch | radial a., deep br. of ulnar a. | palmar metacarpal aa. (2nd-4th), perforating brs. | deep palm, digits including the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment | deep palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| digital, common palmar | superficial palmar arterial arch | proper palmar digital aa. (2) | palmar aspect two adjacent digits | common palmar digital aa. anastomose with palmar metacarpal aa. |
| digital, proper palmar | common palmar digital a. | no named branches | palmar aspect of each digit | proper palmar digital aa. supply the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment and nail bed |
| dorsal carpal arterial arch | radial a., ulnar a. | dorsal metacarpal aa. | dorsum of the hand and digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | dorsal carpal arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| dorsal digital, of hand | dorsal metacarpal a. | no named branches | dorsal aspect of 1/2 digit, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | dorsal digital aa. do not supply the nail bed |
| dorsal metacarpal | 1st: radial a.; 2-4: dorsal carpal arterial arch | dorsal digital aa. (2) | dorsum of 2 adjacent digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | each dorsal metacarpal a. gives off a perforating br. that anastomoses with the deep palmar arterial arch |
| dorsal scapular | subclavian a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | levator scapulae m., rhomboideus major m., rhomboideus minor m. | dorsal scapular a. anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the subscapular a. to form the scapular anastomosis; dorsal scapular a is a branch of the transverse cervical a. in ~30% of cases |
| humeral, anterior circumflex | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid m.; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | anterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the posterior circumflex humeral a. |
| humeral, posterior circumflex | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | posterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the anterior circumflex humeral a.; it passes through the quadrangular space with the axillary nerve |
| inferior ulnar collateral | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lower medial arm | anastomoses with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| interosseous recurrent | posterior interosseous a. | unnamed muscular branches | anconeus m., elbow joint | interosseous recurrent a. anastomoses with the middle collateral a. |
| interosseous, anterior | common interosseous a. | muscular brs.; a. of the median nerve | flexor pollicis longus m., flexor digitorum profundus m., pronator quadratus m., radius, ulna, carpal bones | anterior interosseous a. pierces the interosseous membrane at its distal end to reach the dorsal carpal anastomosis |
| interosseous, common | ulnar a. | anterior interosseous a., posterior interosseous a. | deep structures of the forearm | common interosseous a. supplies the deep forearm flexor and deep forearm extensor muscles |
| interosseous, posterior | common interosseous a. | interosseous recurrent | muscles of the posterior (extensor) forearm compartment: supinator m., abductor pollicis longus m., extensor pollicis longus m., extensor pollicis brevis m., extensor indicis m. | posterior interosseous a. passes proximal to the interosseous membrane to reach the extensor compartment of the forearm |
| lateral thoracic | axillary, 2nd part | unnamed muscular branches | serratus anterior m., parts of adjacent muscles, skin and fascia of the anterolateral thoracic wall | lateral thoracic a. is a rare case in that it enters the serratus anterior from its superficial surface |
| metacarpal, dorsal | 1st: radial a.; 2-4: dorsal carpal arterial arch | dorsal digital aa. (2) | dorsum of 2 adjacent digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segment | each dorsal metacarpal a. gives off a perforating br. that anastomoses with the deep palmar arterial arch |
| metacarpal, palmar | deep palmar arch | proper palmar digital aa. | interosseous mm., deep hand | palmar metacarpal aa. join with the common palmar digital aa. |
| middle collateral | deep brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial head of triceps, anconeus | anastomoses with the interosseous recurrent a. |
| palmar arch, deep | radial a., deep br. of ulnar a. | palmar metacarpal aa. (2nd-4th), perforating brs. | deep palm, digits including the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment | deep palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the radial a. |
| palmar arch, superficial | ulnar a., superficial palmar br. of the radial a. | common palmar digital aa. (3) | superficial palm, palmar surface of the digits excluding thumb, dorsum of the distal phalangeal segments of digits 2-5 | superficial palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the ulnar a. |
| palmar digital, common | superficial palmar arterial arch | proper palmar digital aa. (2) | palmar aspect two adjacent digits | common palmar digital aa. anastomose with palmar metacarpal aa. |
| palmar digital, proper | common palmar digital a. | no named branches | palmar aspect of each digit | proper palmar digital aa. supply the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment and nail bed |
| palmar metacarpal | deep palmar arch | proper palmar digital aa. | interosseous mm., deep hand | palmar metacarpal aa. join with the common palmar digital aa. |
| pectoral | thoracoacromial trunk | unnamed muscular branches | pectoralis major m., pectoralis minor m. | pectoral a. accompanies the lateral pectoral n. |
| posterior circumflex humeral | axillary a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | deltoid; arm muscles near the surgical neck of the humerus | posterior circumflex humeral a. anastomoses with the anterior circumflex humeral a.; it passes through the quadrangular space with the axillary nerve |
| posterior interosseous | common interosseous a. | interosseous recurrent | muscles of the posterior (extensor) forearm compartment: supinator m., abductor pollicis longus m., extensor pollicis longus m., extensor pollicis brevis m., extensor indicis m. | posterior interosseous a. passes proximal to the interosseous membrane to reach the extensor compartment of the forearm |
| posterior ulnar recurrent | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial side of the elbow, forearm flexor mm. | posterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises from a common trunk with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| princeps pollicis | radial a. | two brs. to the thumb | palmar aspect of the thumb including the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment | arteria princeps pollicis is similar in function to a proper digital aa.; this artery has a large pulse which can be felt when attempting to take the pulse of a patient - use fingers to feel for the patient's pulse |
| proper palmar digital | common palmar digital a. | no named branches | palmar aspect of each digit | proper palmar digital aa. supply the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment and nail bed |
| radial | brachial a. | radial recurrent a., palmar carpal br., superficial palmar br., dorsal carpal br., 1st dorsal metacarpal a., princeps pollicis a., radialis indicis a., deep palmar arterial arch | posterior elbow, posterior forearm, posterior hand, deep portion of palmar side of the hand, thumb | radial a. provides the majority of blood supply to the deep palmar arterial arch; normally it arises at the level of the elbow but may high branching of the brachial a. may result in the radial a. arising as proximal as the axilla |
| radial collateral | deep brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lower lateral arm | travels with the radial nerve; anastomoses with the radial recurrent a. |
| radial recurrent | radial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lateral side of the elbow and adjacent extensor muscles | radial recurrent a. anastomoses with the radial collateral a.; it courses in the groove between the brachioradialis m. and the brachialis m. |
| radialis indicis | radial a. | no named branches | lateral (radial) side of the index finger | arteria radialis indicis is equivalent to a proper digital a. |
| recurrent, anterior ulnar | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular brs. | medial side of elbow and proximal ends of forearm flexor mm. | anterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises in common with the posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| recurrent, interosseous | posterior interosseous a. | unnamed muscular branches | anconeus m., elbow joint | interosseous recurrent a. anastomoses with the middle collateral a. |
| recurrent, posterior ulnar | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial side of the elbow, forearm flexor mm. | posterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises from a common trunk with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| recurrent, radial | radial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lateral side of the elbow and adjacent extensor muscles | radial recurrent a. anastomoses with the radial collateral a.; it courses in the groove between the brachioradialis m. and the brachialis m. |
| scapular, circumflex | subscapular a. | unnamed muscular branches | teres major m., teres minor m., infraspinatus m. | circumflex scapular a. anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the dorsal scapular a. to form the scapular anastomosis |
| scapular, dorsal | subclavian a., 3rd part | unnamed muscular branches | levator scapulae m., rhomboideus major m., rhomboideus minor m. | dorsal scapular a. anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the subscapular a. to form the scapular anastomosis; dorsal scapular a is a branch of the transverse cervical a. in ~30% of cases |
| subclavian | brachiocephalic a. (right), aortic arch (left) | 1st part: vertebral a., thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic a.; 2nd part: costocervical trunk; 3rd part: dorsal scapular a. (70%) | neck, brain, spinal cord, thyroid gland, larynx, shoulder, chest muscles, upper limb | subclavian a. is continuous with the axillary a., the name change occurs at the lateral border of the first rib; anterior scalene muscle passes anterior to the subclavian a., dividing it into 3 parts |
| subscapular | axillary a., 3rd part | circumflex scapular a., thoracodorsal a. | subscapularis m., teres major m., teres minor m., infraspinatus m. | the circumflex scapular branch of the subscapular a.anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the dorsal scapular a. in the scapular anastomosis |
| superficial palmar arch | ulnar a., superficial palmar br. of the radial a. | common palmar digital aa. (3) | superficial palm, palmar surface of the digits excluding thumb, dorsum of the distal phalangeal segments of digits 2-5 | superficial palmar arterial arch receives the majority of its blood supply from the ulnar a. |
| superior thoracic | axillary a., 1st part | unnamed muscular branches | muscles of intercostal spaces 1 and 2 | superior thoracic a. anastomoses with the intercostal aa. for intercostal spaces 1 and 2 |
| superior ulnar collateral | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial arm muscles | travels with the ulnar nerve; anastomoses with posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| suprascapular | thyrocervical trunk | muscular | supraspinatus & infraspinatus, shoulder joint | anastomoses with the circumflex scapular a. and the dorsal scapular a. to form the scapular anastomosis |
| thoracic, lateral | axillary a., 2nd part | unnamed muscular branches | serratus anterior m., parts of adjacent muscles, skin and fascia of the anterolateral thoracic wall | lateral thoracic a. is a rare case in that it enters the serratus anterior from its superficial surface |
| thoracic, superior | axillary a., 1st part | unnamed muscular branches | muscles of intercostal spaces 1 and 2 | superior thoracic a. anastomoses with the intercostal aa. for intercostal spaces 1 and 2 |
| thoracoacromial | axillary a., 2nd part | pectoral br., clavicular br., acromial br., deltoid br. | pectoralis major m., pectoralis minor m., subclavius m., deltoid m., shoulder joint | thoracoacromial trunk pierces the costocoracoid membrane |
| thoracodorsal | subscapular a. | unnamed muscular branches | latissimus dorsi m. | thoracodorsal a. accompanies the thoracodorsal n. |
| trunk, brachiocephalic | aortic arch | right common carotid a., right subclavian a. | right side of the head and neck; right upper limb and right side of the chest wall | there is only one brachiocephalic trunk |
| trunk, thyrocervical | subclavian a., 1st part | inferior thyroid a., transverse cervical a., suprascapular a. | lower neck, posterior shoulder, thyroid gland | thyrocervical trunk does not give rise to the ascending cervical a.- it is a branch of the inferior thyroid a. |
| ulnar | brachial a. | anterior ulnar recurrent a., posterior ulnar recurrent a., common interosseous a., palmar carpal br., dorsal carpal br., deep palmar br., superficial palmar arterial arch | medial side of the anterior forearm, posterior forearm, superficial palm, fingers | ulnar a. supplies the majority of blood to the superficial palmar arterial arch; it normally arises at the level of the elbow, but high branching of the brachial a. may cause the ulnar a. to arise as far proximally as the axilla |
| ulnar collateral, inferior | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | lower medial arm | anastomoses with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| ulnar collateral, superior | brachial a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial arm muscles | travels with the ulnar nerve; anastomoses with posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| ulnar recurrent, anterior | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular brs. | medial side of elbow and proximal ends of forearm flexor mm. | anterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises in common with the posterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| ulnar recurrent, posterior | ulnar a. | unnamed muscular branches | medial side of the elbow, forearm flexor mm. | posterior ulnar recurrent a. often arises from a common trunk with the anterior ulnar recurrent a. |
| The material presented in these tables is
contained in the book: MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger Published by ILOC, Inc., New York Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited. |
The excellent editorial assistance of Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS is gratefully acknowledged. |
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| Copyright© 2000 The University of Michigan. Unauthorized use prohibited. |
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